An improved synthesis of a fluorescent gabapentin–choline conjugate for single molecule detection

Voltage-gated calcium ion channels comprise pore-forming α1 and auxiliary α2δ, β, and γ subunits. They are important molecular devices involved in a variety of cell functions. Fluorescently labeled acylcholine analogues are important in studies such as ion channel regulation. Cy3-3-acetylcholine has recently been synthesized for single molecule detection studies; albeit in an extremely low overall yield (0.06%). In this work, an alternative route to that used in the previous Cy3-3-acetylcholine synthesis was developed with a 90% yield at a significantly lower material cost.